(Free Improvisation / Veto Records) Christoph Erb, Jim Baker, Michael Zerang - erb / baker / zerang / - 2011, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Even though this album by Swiss artist Christoph Erb (reeds) and Chicagoans, Jim Baker (synth & piano) and Michael Zerang (percussion) is often centered on avant-garde sound-shaping implementations, their keen use of space looms as an added instrument. Therefore, it's not always what is stated that counts because the trio leaves room for interpretation and as a result, the program isn't clouded with excesses or superfluous content. Indeed, unorthodox and spiked with minimalism, the musicians explore the capabilities of their instruments via this polytonal endeavor that tenders an undulating environment, spawned by buzzing frameworks and laconic tonal swashes.
The electro-acoustic foundation is an amalgamation of gruff timbres, analog electronics and oddball breakouts. It's perhaps a bit more playful in scope and not overly-cerebral, although these two factors align rather effectively during the course of events. "Tauch," is a prime example of the trio's craft, yet each piece offers various perspectives. Here, Erb's sublime and at times haunting bass clarinet lines ride atop Baker's accenting piano phrasings, tinted by Zerang's colorific percussion work instilled with creaky cymbals and liquefying type qualities.
"Tauch" skirts the perimeter of various fronts. Whether the musicians propose a wistful gait or allude to dour circumstances, the invention and vibrancy translates into a buoyant flow, dappled with subtle surprises. Moreover, the artists goad each other during their dialogues amid spurious developments and fragmented subplots.
Not for the casual listener, but the group's musical mutations summon a concentrated interpretation of the material. Hence, the listening experience may be akin to solving a puzzle, where more clues are divulged on subsequent spins.
Glenn Astarita ~ jazzreview.com

X Lossless Decoder version 20121222 (142.2)
XLD extraction logfile from 2013-01-02 04:47:28 +0400
Christoph Erb, Jim Baker, Michael Zerang / Erb / Baker / Zerang
Used drive : HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GX30N (revision RP09)
Media type : Pressed CD
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Read offset correction  : 6
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Gap status              : Analyzed, Appended
TOC of the extracted CD
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    ---------------------------------------------------------
        1  | 00:00:00 | 09:24:07 |         0    |    42306
        2  | 09:24:07 | 08:18:63 |     42307    |    79719
        3  | 17:42:70 | 03:50:27 |     79720    |    96996
        4  | 21:33:22 | 05:14:46 |     96997    |   120592
        5  | 26:47:68 | 06:17:34 |    120593    |   148901
        6  | 33:05:27 | 05:19:30 |    148902    |   172856
        7  | 38:24:57 | 07:58:62 |    172857    |   208768
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Track 01
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End of status report

TITLE "Erb / Baker / Zerang"
PERFORMER "Christoph Erb, Jim Baker, Michael Zerang"
REM GENRE "Freest Jazzyle"
REM DATE "2011"
REM DISCID 630ADF07
REM REPLAYGAIN_ALBUM_GAIN -3.86 dB
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FILE "01 - Silur.flac" WAVE
  TRACK 01 AUDIO
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FILE "02 - Opisthoproctidae.flac" WAVE
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FILE "03 - Fesch.flac" WAVE
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FILE "04 - Tauch.flac" WAVE
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FILE "05 - Sakana.flac" WAVE
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FILE "06 - Ogcocephalus.flac" WAVE
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FILE "07 - Devon.flac" WAVE
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    INDEX 01 00:00:00

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